Rare bird still critical at center

Saved from a tree in Healdsburg, a very rare Frigatebird is still in critical condition, but is showing signs of improvement at Cordelia's International Bird Rescue Research Center, officials said Tuesday.

Blown way off course in recent storms, the large bird is receiving 24-hour intensive care, said center community relations director Tom Rusert.

The Young Magnificent Frigatebird prefers warm ocean waters, and is rarely seen this far north.

The bird was likely blown into a tall pine tree at the Russian River Bridge, became entangled and was unable to free itself, center officials said. A 40-foot ladder was needed, and Santa Rosa Bird Rescue assisted with saving the bird.

The bird is not in good shape and may not make it.

"It probably got caught up in the storms and spent a long time struggling. The winds swept it out of its range of where it should be," said center public relations director Karen Benzel.

The bird came in with a very low temperature, nearly 10 degrees below normal, and was "very cold and thin," she said.

However, the bird is showing some promising signs - its temperature has increased a few degrees and it tried to eat some fish on its own Tuesday afternoon, she said.

The bird is being tube fed with a fish slurry mixed with nutritional supplements, Rusert said.

Rescuers Dana and John Maber named the bird Florence, Benzel said. The Frigatebird has a wingspan of 8 feet and is slightly larger than a pelican or bald eagle.

The arrival of the Frigatebird here has piqued the interest of legions of bird lovers. Visitors can look at the bird through the windows of the center's intensive care unit, but can't get near it or take any photographs, Rusert said.

The recent storms have sent more than 100 birds from Monterey County to Santa Rosa County to the Cordelia rescue center for recovery.

The storms create problems for small ducks like Ruddy ducks, Buffleheads, Goldeneyes, Surf Scoters, and Greater Scaups, whose legs are far back on their bodies, according to the center. Other birds hurt in recent storms are Western, Eared and Horned Grebes, Murres and Fulmars.

Anyone who comes across an injured wild bird can call the center at 707-207-0380. More details are also available at http://www.ibrrc.org.